Counterfeit products are products that imitate the appearance, quality, or functionality of genuine products, but are made with inferior materials or methods. Counterfeit products can pose serious risks to your health, safety, and wallet, as they may contain harmful substances, break easily, or not work as intended. Therefore, it is important to be able to spot and avoid counterfeit products in the market.
In this blog, I will share some tips on how to combat counterfeit products circulating in Nigeria market, based on the following aspects:
- How to identify counterfeit products
- How to report counterfeit products
- How to support anti-counterfeiting initiatives
- How to learn from other countries’ experiences
How to identify counterfeit products
One of the first steps to combat counterfeit products is to be able to identify them. There are some signs that can help you to spot counterfeit products, such as:
- Price: If the price of a product is significantly lower than the market value, or too good to be true, chances are it is a fake. Counterfeiters use cheap materials and methods to produce their products, and they often evade taxes and fees, which allows them to sell their products at a fraction of the cost of the genuine ones.
- Packaging: Counterfeit products often have poor-quality packaging, with signs of rushed workmanship, such as peeling labels, low-quality ink or printing errors, loose products inside the box, or missing or incorrect information. For example, if you see a product that has a different name, logo, or spelling than the original brand, or that has no expiration date, batch number, or contact details, you should be wary. You should also compare the packaging of the product with the official website or catalog of the brand, to see if there are any discrepancies or inconsistencies.
- Product: The product itself can also reveal whether it is a counterfeit or not. Counterfeit products often have inferior quality, design, or performance than the genuine ones, as they are made with substandard materials or techniques. For example, if you see a product that has a different color, shape, size, or texture than the original one, or that has visible defects, such as cracks, scratches, or stains, you should doubt its authenticity. You should also test the product, if possible, to see if it works as expected, or if it has any unusual smells, tastes, or effects. For example, if you buy a cosmetic product that causes irritation, allergic reaction, or infection, or that has a foul odor or flavor, it is likely a fake.
How to report counterfeit products
Another step to combat counterfeit products is to report them to the relevant authorities or organizations. Reporting counterfeit products can help to protect yourself and other consumers from being deceived or harmed by them, and to deter counterfeiters from continuing their illegal activities. There are some ways to report counterfeit products, such as:
- Contact the seller: If you bought a counterfeit product from a seller, whether online or offline, you should contact them and explain the situation. You should ask for a refund or a replacement, and if they refuse or ignore you, you should escalate the issue to the platform or the regulator that oversees the seller. You should also leave a negative feedback or review to warn other potential buyers about the seller and the product.
- Contact the brand owner: If you bought a counterfeit product that infringes on the intellectual property rights of a brand owner, you should contact them and inform them about the product. You should provide them with the details of the product, such as the name, description, photos, and receipts, and the details of the seller, such as the name, address, phone number, and website. The brand owner may take legal action against the counterfeiter, or offer you some compensation or assistance.
- Contact the regulator: If you bought a counterfeit product that poses a threat to your health or safety, or that violates the consumer protection laws, you should contact the regulator that is responsible for the product category. For example, if you bought a counterfeit medicine, you should contact the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), or if you bought a counterfeit electrical appliance, you should contact the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). You should provide them with the details of the product and the seller, and they may investigate the case, seize the product, or prosecute the counterfeiter.
How to support anti-counterfeiting initiatives
A third step to combat counterfeit products is to support the anti-counterfeiting initiatives that are carried out by various stakeholders, such as the government, the industry, the civil society, and the international community. Supporting anti-counterfeiting initiatives can help to raise awareness, educate consumers, enforce laws, and promote cooperation among different actors. There are some ways to support anti-counterfeiting initiatives, such as:
- Participate in campaigns: You can participate in the campaigns that are organized by the anti-counterfeiting stakeholders, such as the World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, the Consumer Protection Week, or the Stop Fakes Roadshow. These campaigns aim to inform the public about the dangers and damages of counterfeit products, and to encourage them to buy genuine products from reliable sources. You can join the events, activities, or online platforms that are part of these campaigns, and share your experiences, opinions, or suggestions with others.
- Donate or volunteer: You can donate or volunteer for the organizations that are dedicated to fighting counterfeit products, such as the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), or the International Trademark Association (INTA). These organizations work to protect the rights and interests of consumers and brand owners, and to combat counterfeit products through research, advocacy, education, and enforcement. You can contribute to their work by donating money, resources, or time, or by offering your skills, expertise, or network.
- Spread the word: You can spread the word about the anti-counterfeiting initiatives and the counterfeit products to your family, friends, colleagues, and social media followers. You can share the information, tips, or resources that you have learned from the anti-counterfeiting stakeholders, and urge them to be vigilant and responsible when buying products. You can also report or flag any suspicious products or sellers that you encounter or hear about, and help to expose or stop them.
How to learn from other countries’ experiences
A fourth step to combat counterfeit products is to learn from the experiences of other countries that have successfully tackled the problem of counterfeit products. Learning from other countries’ experiences can help to gain insights, best practices, or lessons that can be applied or adapted to the Nigerian context. There are some examples of other countries’ experiences, such as:
- Canada: Canada has developed a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to combat counterfeit products, which involves the collaboration of various government departments, agencies, and partners, such as the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The strategy focuses on four pillars: prevention, detection, deterrence, and prosecution. The strategy also includes public education and awareness campaigns, such as the “Get Cyber Safe” and the “Buy Smart” initiatives, which provide consumers with information and tips on how to avoid counterfeit products online and offline.
- China: China has made significant efforts to combat counterfeit products, which have been a major challenge for its economy and reputation. China has strengthened its legal framework, judicial system, and administrative enforcement to protect intellectual property rights and crack down on counterfeit products. China has also enhanced its cooperation with other countries and international organizations, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization, the World Customs Organization, and the World Trade Organization, to exchange information, share experiences, and coordinate actions. China has also launched public education and awareness campaigns, such as the “Quality Month” and the “3.15 Consumer Rights Day” initiatives, which aim to improve the quality consciousness and the consumer rights awareness of the public.
- France: France has been a leader in fighting counterfeit products, especially in the luxury sector, which is one of its key industries and cultural assets. France has established a strong and effective legal framework, which provides for high penalties, civil remedies, and criminal sanctions for counterfeiters. France has also created a specialized anti-counterfeiting agency, the National Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, which coordinates the actions of various public and private actors, such as the customs, the police, the judiciary, the industry, and the consumers. France has also initiated public education and awareness campaigns, such as the “Stop à la Contrefaçon” and the “Faux, ça coûte cher” initiatives, which aim to inform and sensitize the public about the risks and impacts of counterfeit products.
Conclusion
Counterfeit products are not only a waste of money, but also a threat to your health and safety. Therefore, you should always be careful and vigilant when shopping, and use the tips that I have shared to combat counterfeit products circulating in Nigeria market. By doing so, you can protect yourself and support the legitimate manufacturers that produce quality products.